Technics unveils SL-1500C Premium Class turntable

Technics clearly has its mojo working fully following a raft of hi-fi announcements also at CES. New product plans include a SL-G700 network/SACD player, the SL-1500C Premium Class direct-drive turntable (above) along with its first dedicated DJ deck in almost nine years in the shape of the SL-1200/1210MK7 and two sets of wireless headphones.

But it’s the SL-1500C that is likely to interest HFC readers the most. At the time of going to print no official pricing was available, but the packaged deck dispenses with the DJ features of its SL-1200 series and builds in a phono stage and comes fitted with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge. As a semi-automatic deck, the auto-lift raises the universal S-shaped tonearm when it reaches the end of the record to prevent wear to both valuable vinyl and the stylus.
The motor borrows from the Japanese company’s existing designs and uses a single-rotor, coreless direct-drive motor to drive the aluminium die-cast platter, which is fitted with rubber on the entire back surface to eliminate unwanted resonances. Expected to be available in the Autumn, prices are still to be confirmed, but keep an eye on the Technics website for more details by clicking here.